I am traveling back home today after the joy of family and as we walked around the city life laughing, walking, and watching my boys chase the pigeons it was great to do something completely different this Thanksgiving and gain a different perspective.  It was neat to observe how the cities that we perceive as being so much on the edge really retain what we did in the past.  I love the small neighborhoods with all of these small little shops you pass on the way to the mass transit train or subway you are taking.  The bakery, the bodega for a few small groceries, the shop that just sells hats.  Something about that way of living that seems to have gone by the way of the giant Walmarts and Menards of the midwest seems sad to me, but I was also thankful to see if so alive and vibrant in the big cities. 

Birds are such a lovely symbol of perspective and connection for me as the travel above from place to place.  I wanted to share with you another lovely spot to enter for a giveaway for the Living Crafts Ornament project.  Rae made the beautiful bird from the project that was one of the ornaments chosen in the initial magazine, the remaining lovely ornaments and instructions are coming on the Living Crafts blog.  Rae's bird is just lovely and she is giving away one on her blog right now, fly on over and leave a comment.  I have one of her birds from the initial LC project exchange and it is beautiful.  I am fortunate to have done another swap with Rae and her work is just so lovely with incredible details in her stitching.

Thanks to all my long distant friends for helping build such an incredible nest of creativity!  It is that time again also where I have the fun opportunity to give-away a copy of the December Herbal Roots Zine that the very talented Kristine does- if you have not had a chance to do this monthly herbal zine, this is a chance to get entered for a copy.  It is so well done and we have learned so much over the past 10 months.  Leave a comment here between now and Monday at midnight and then I will draw a winners name and e-mail the December issue.  Good luck!!